for Bioretention Facilities Dan Cloak Environmental Consulting May 23, 2011
Why such emphasis on bioretention? Criteria for hydrologic performance and NPDES compliance Area and volume requirements Discharge orifice requirements and outlet design Soil specification Additional Design Specifications Gravel and underdrain Plantings Structural
Sizing Factor for Treatment Only A ≥ 0.04 Sizing Factors for Treatment + Flow Control 3 factors Vary with soil type and rainfall record (location) A is the wetted surface area of the bioretention soil mix V 1 is the surface storage at overflow stage V 2 is the free volume within the gravel layer
Surface Loading Rate i = 0.2 inches/hour i = 5 inches/hour BMP Area/Impervious Area = 0.2/5 = 0.04
A 18"
Facility DesignSoil Group Area A (ft 2 /ft 2 ) Volume V 1 (ft 3 /ft 2 ) Volume V 2 (ft 3 /ft 2 ) Rainfall Adjustment for Surface Area Rainfall Adjustment for Storage Volume Maximum Release Rate Bioretention Facility A No min.Eq. 4-6 No orifice B No min.Eq. 4-7 No orifice C Eq. 4-8 Eq D Eq. 4-9*Eq. 4-9Eq Flow- through Planter ANot permitted in “A” soils BNot permitted in “B” soils C Eq. 4-8 Eq D Eq. 4-9*Eq. 4-9Eq Dry Well A N/AEq. 4-6 No release B N/AEq. 4-7 No release CNot permitted in “C” soils DNot permitted in “D” soils Cistern + Bioretention A N/AEq. 4-13Eq. 4-6Eq B N/AEq. 4-14Eq. 4-7Eq C N/AEq. 4-15Eq. 4-8Eq D N/AEq. 4-16Eq. 4-9Eq Bioretention + Vault A0.04N/A0.096N/AEq. 4-6No release B0.04N/A0.220N/AEq. 4-7Eq C0.04N/A0.152N/AEq. 4-8Eq D0.04N/A0.064N/AEq. 4-9Eq Page 44
Soil Mix Gravel 18" 10" 2"2" Overflow A V1V1 V2V2 Φ = 0.4
Soil Mix Gravel 18" 10" 2"2" Under drain 6"6" A V1V1 V2V2 Page 70
Soil Mix 18" 10" 2"2" Page 71
Page 76 Overflow elevation
See Appendix B – Use Mix “B” 60-70% Sand ASTM C33 for fine aggregate 30-40% Compost Certified through US Composting Council Seal of Testing Assurance Program Issues since initiating a design specification Suppliers may still be using a performance specification Performance of non-spec materials starts out OK, then falls off with repeated wettings Failures seem to correlate with observable presence of clays Page B-3
Class 2 permeable Caltrans spec Typical to be slightly off gradation spec on delivery No filter fabric Underdrain PVC SDR 35 or equivalent Holes facing downward Solid pipe for 2' closest to outlet structure Cleanout Pages 71-72
List in Attachment B-1 Use experienced professionals Trees Incorporate into bioretention facility Account for surface roots Consider multi-purpose Lawns or working gardens Flooding is brief and only in winter Page B-7 Page 73
Outlet structure Top of overflow grate Invert of subdrain Inlet Flow line at inlet Top of curb Top of adjacent paving Soil layers Top of soil layer Bottom of gravel layer Bottom of soil layer Page 94
15"